Using opensource libraries in proprietary software

[Sputnik]

If I make a GTK+ GUI app that I want to sell, must I distribute my source code?

1) I do not modify the GTK library
2) I merely link to the gtk library


http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/6366:

2) The meaning of derivative work will not be broadened to include software created by linking to library programs that were designed and intended to be used as library programs. When a company releases a scientific subroutine library, or a library of objects, for example, people who merely use the library, unmodified, perhaps without even looking at the source code, are not thereby creating derivative works of the library.

[z05DSL3A]

I am Not giving you any legal advice, however:

The GTK Project wrote:

Are there any licensing restrictions?
GTK+ is free software and part of the GNU Project. However, the licensing terms for GTK+, the GNU LGPL, allow it to be used by all developers, including those developing proprietary software, without any license fees or royalties.

http://www.gtk.org/

[sohguanh]

Now do lawyers interpret the same way as we developers do ? I interpret above post as it is free and can be distributed but is it really free to distribute from a legal viewpoint ? Hmmm.....

[ProbePLayer]

Ask a lawyer. Or better, ask two!

Ask a bunch of lawyers, so that you will know what is the overall view they have about this question.I don't think you have to pay them for a legal advice like that.

Cheers.